CULTIVATING TALENT

Living Your Faith

– Chris Tomlin, Speech and Debate graduate

What started in 1991 as a presentation on country music for a TJC Speech and Debate competition blossomed into a 30-plus-year career as a Christian singer-songwriter. Grand Saline, Texas native Chris Tomlin isn’t timid about identifying the driving force behind his passionate creativity: “I just want to lead people to God.” Today the Grammy-winning recording artist, husband and father of three still draws sell-out crowds and releases highly anticipated albums – 17 so far – yet humbly admits, “Helping people encounter God in worship –that’s what it’s always been about for me.” A 2017 recipient of the Legends of TJC award, Chris reflects, “It was here that people really believed in me and saw something in me that I didn’t even see myself. I’m proud of this school and the teachers that really shaped me here.”